i've recently decicded to treat myself & buy a coffee machine, but since i know very little i thought i'd come & pick some brains that are serious about their coffee.

I normally ask for a regular filter coffee from the posh shop in town, but now i'm looking to buy i'm not actually sure if i get drip coffee or an americano. I don't think i could tell the difference just by taste anyways.

My girlfriend likes latte's & mocha's so i'm guessing the type of machine i'm looking to get is an espresso maker?

My criteria is quite basic as i'm no connoisseur. i'm looking for "nice" coffee, i realise that is a very vague term but it just needs to be a good alternative to shop brought coffee (like starbucks, if it's not a sin to mention that name here!) . needs to be full bodied & fresh tasting. anything more subtle would be lost on us & a waste of money.

So, my qustions are:Is this a good machine to start with? I want it to last a good 4 to 5 years, making up to 5 cups a day.Will the americano's from this machine be nearly or as good as a drip coffee machine?

Now the all important coffee questions! What brands are good for someone who likes their coffee but is not sharp tasting proffesional drinker?And shall i buy beans or is pre-ground stuff ok? I've heard the pre-ground stuff goes stale inside an hour of opening & is a waste.If i'm convinced to buy whole beans i'll also be looking for a grinder too!

In order to make good espresso you need a decent grinder for several reasons: First of all pre-ground coffee never has the right fineness for proper extraction, and secondly ground coffee goes stale after just 15 minutes. The coffee has to be freshly ground and the grinder has to be dialed in for the right percolation time.

What you must realise is that the grinder is more important than the machine. With a capable grinder and an entry level machine like the Gaggia you chose you can make better espresso than with a crap grinder an a commercial espresso machine. You must not skimp on the grinder. With a £200 budget for the machine you should spend about equally as much money on the grinder.

wow! did not realise that the grinder was so important. so if i have a budget of £240 i should be looking to split it £120 on each? if so could you post some links to good grinders please?

I am not so bothered about espresso, the reason i was looking at that particular machine was solely for making latte's & mocha's for my girlfriend. I think i prefer filter coffee but if i'm buying a expensive (for me) espresso machine then i'd want to get the most out of it ,so would mostly be making americano & the latte's.

so what do ppl think would be the best way to spend this budget to achive these aims?

Mike, welcome to the forum and here is the best advice this old man can give you...First, yes first, buy an espresso-capable grinder and then take what remains of your budget and get a "real" espresso machine. A used Gaggia would suit your needs for now and would probably last you a very long time. NO machine will suit your needs if you do not have a VERY GOOD grinder.You mentioned that espresso is not a priority. OK, but it IS a consideration, and I will bet you dollars to doughnuts that you will be looking for an espresso machine very soon if not later. Doing it right the first time will save you a lot of money. Or... you can make the same mistakes most of us made and try to get by with just an "ok" grinder at first. It doesn't work. Trust me.Good luck...

Another option is to get yourself a good espresso capable grinder and a French press for now, then save a little money while you research espresso machines (ie, put yourself before your GF - did I say that?...nooooo, not me).

.Always remember the most important thing is what ends up in your cup!

so buying whole beans & grinding yourself is the only way to go? i want to do this right with the money i have but i'm not so sure my tastebuds are so refined that i'd notice subtle differences in taste.

i have tried pre-ground coffee out of a cafetiere at my friends house & with a dash of cream that was very tasty. If i splurge on a good grinder to go with the machine i was looking at could i get a mug of coffee to rival the stuff out of my friends french press?

so buying whole beans & grinding yourself is the only way to go? i want to do this right with the money i have but i'm not so sure my tastebuds are so refined that i'd notice subtle differences in taste.

i have tried pre-ground coffee out of a cafetiere at my friends house & with a dash of cream that was very tasty. If i splurge on a good grinder to go with the machine i was looking at could i get a mug of coffee to rival the stuff out of my friends french press?

If you buy freshly roasted beans and grind them yourself, you will be maximizing their potential, and it isn't subtle at all. If you try to make espresso, this combo is essential for success. It is only slightly less important in other brewing methods.

we follow something called the rule of 15s here...

green coffee beans should be roasted within 15 months...roasted coffee beans should be ground within 15 days...ground coffee should be used within 15 minutes...or it goes stale!

many of us freeze our beans in airtight containers to stop the staling process.

.Always remember the most important thing is what ends up in your cup!

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